March Events

Poemtown Submission Guidelines: Deadline February 28

To go to Poemtown website click HERE

Friends of The Athenaeum Monthly Meetings

You are invited to join Friends of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum monthly meetings!  We generally meet on the last Thursday of each month at 9:30 am. 

The Friends is a volunteer group involved in promoting the resources and services of the Athenaeum, providing hospitality at programs and events, and fundraising for the benefit of the Athenaeum. Friends strive to make resources and services of the Athenaeum more widely known in the community.

Friends volunteer at the Secondhand Prose Bookstore, organize pie sales, and assist with various Friends-sponsored programs and events.

If you have questions about the Friends of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, contact Adele West-Fisher at awestfisher@stjathenaeum.org or 802-745-1391.

The meetings are free, ADA accessible and open to the public.

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Writing About Harriet: The Story of a Family's Bonds of Affection with Harriet Tubman - Thursday, February 27, 7 PM

Northeast Kingdom resident Bob Amos explores his ancestors' multi-generational relationship with historical icon Harriet Tubman. Well known as a musician and songwriter, Bob has also pursued a passionate interest in family history. Bob's Auburn, New York ancestors were instrumental in preserving Tubman's legacy, writing the first biography and multiple articles about her during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Bob rediscovered some photographs of Tubman taken by his great aunt that had never been seen outside the family. In 2020 Bob's research on his family's connection to Harriet Tubman was published as a feature article in the national history and genealogy magazine American Ancestors. The photographs of Harriet Tubman are being donated to the Library of Congress.

This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Valentine's Day Cabaret with Ed Morgan's One Man Band Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 pm

Come to the Athenaeum for a festive, cabaret-style musical evening with Ed Morgan’s One-Man Band. Using sequencers, synthesizers and other electronic and acoustic equipment, Ed creates a full-band sound. Ed will perform a mix of current and classic hits tailored for Valentine’s Day.

We’ll have table seating to watch the show and enjoy some fine refreshments. or you can dance the night away!  This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Athenaeum Film Fan Club: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6 pm

(Rescheduled from Wed., Jan. 29)

Join the Athenaeum Film Fan Club for our first ever movie,
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which was partially filmed in
East Corinth, VT! We’d like to establish a new film club at the
Athenaeum, so come to this showing and bring ideas for future movies. Popcorn provided free!

This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Damian Ryan Becomes New Docent

Damian Ryan Becomes Newest Athenaeum Docent

Five years ago, Damian Ryan retired and returned to his childhood town of St. Johnsbury, VT. This month he became the newest docent in the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum’s unique Art Gallery.

Former Athenaeum Director Bob Joly recommended that Damian become a docent. Damian spends most mornings reading the newspapers in the Athenaeum, so it made sense that he take on the docent role.

“I had just finished researching St. Johnsbury for the radio play “It’s a Wonderful Life” that the Athenaeum Players performed in December, so I have pretty strong knowledge of the town. I like talking to people and sharing information about the Athenaeum and our little town,” Damian said.

“I always knew in the back of my mind that I would move back to St. Johnsbury when I retired. It’s nice to be able to come back home. This place has the amazing cultural opportunities of a big city, but in a beautiful rural setting.”

Damian will be in the Athenaeum Art Gallery on Tuesdays from 10 am-1 pm. Stop in for a visit and get Damian’s take on his favorite pieces in the gallery, and what else to do in St. Johnsbury!

Vermont Civic Health Index Community Forum - Wednesday, February 5, 5:30 PM

On Wednesday, February 5 at 5:30 pm, the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum will host one of five regional community forums about the Civic Health Index held at libraries across the state.

The Office of Civic and Voter Engagement in the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office is releasing Vermont’s first Civic Health Index. Communities are gathering to discuss our civic health and how we can strengthen it.

The report looks at Vermont’s Civic Health across six domains: Volunteerism and Donating, Political Engagement, Social and Community Context, Cultural Access and Engagement, Media Trust and Access, and Government Trust and Access. It also highlights results from the Vermont Youth Civic Health Survey. Project partners include the Center for Rural Studies at UVM, SerVermont, Vermont Humanities, and Up for Learning.

This forum will include Civic Health Index findings and a review of the process; a panel discussion; and small group discussion.

If you plan to attend the event at the Athenaeum, please RSVP at this link.

Refreshments will be provided.  This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

St. J Sparkles Holiday Celebration December 21, 1 pm

Saturday, December 14, 1:00 pm - St J Sparkles Holiday Celebration, Athenaeum Hall

Join us in Athenaeum Hall for our traditional holiday music get-together. Cookies and other holiday treats and beverages by the Friends of the Athenaeum.

This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Artist Reception Dec. 18-Photography by Jim Tidyman

Photography by Jim Tidyman

At the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Hall Gallery through December.

An artist reception, with food and beverages, will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 5-7 pm.

Photography has been a lifelong hobby for Jim, along with woodworking, pottery, baking, and writing. He moved from Florida to St. Johnsbury in 2011 to retire, be closer to family and settle down in beautiful Vermont. A chronicle of Jim's working life, A Resume of Epic Proportions - Fifty Jobs in Fifty Years, can be downloaded for free as an e-book or audiobook from his website, www.jimworld.net. The website also includes photos of his work. Photos in the exhibition will be for sale.

The exhibition and reception are free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Online only Dec. 11 - Paranoia in the Hills: Cold War Vermont as Inspiration for Crime Fiction

Vermont Humanities Snapshot Series
Wednesday, December 11, 7 pm 

Please note: due to the inclement weather forecast for Wednesday evening, we have switched this presentation to take place on Zoom.

Register for the Zoom presentation at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2eokAjJFQ9SOZbNpV_uXcw#/registration

Vermont author Sarah Stewart Taylor discusses the creation of Agony Hill, her first novel in a mystery series that is set in 1960s Vermont. The state’s Cold War history provided inspiration and historical context for her tale of a Boston cop investigating a suspicious death in a small Vermont town. Stewart Taylor describes her research process and some of the surprising personalities who lived in or visited the Green Mountain State during this period.  

This is a live event which will also be available online.  Register for the online link here: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paranoia-in-the-hills-cold-war-vermont-as-inspiration-for-crime-fiction-tickets-956487559037?aff=oddtdtcreator 

This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public. 

The Athenaeum Players presents It's a Wonderful Life.

The beloved holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life comes to the Athenaeum Art Gallery on Friday, December 6, with performances at 4:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

Travel back to Christmas Eve 1946 and experience this classic tale of desperation, hope, redemption and joy in the quintessential small town of Bedford Falls, surrounded by the Victorian splendor of the Athenaeum Gallery.

Presented as a staged reading in a 1940's radio drama format, the Athenaeum Players brings to life dozens of unforgettable characters. This radio play is drawn from Joe Landry's adaptation of the screen classic, based upon Philip van Doren Stern's short story, "The Greatest Gift."

This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Athenaeum Hall Exhibition: Photography by Jim Tidyman

Photography has been a lifelong hobby for Jim, along with woodworking, pottery, baking, and writing. He moved from Florida to St. Johnsbury in May of 2011 to retire, be closer to family and settle down in beautiful Vermont. A chronicle of Jim's working life,

A Resume of Epic Proportions - Fifty Jobs in Fifty Years, can be downloaded for free as an  e-book or  audiobook from his website, www.jimworld.net. The website also includes photos of his work.

Photos in the exhibition will be for sale.

View the exhibition online HERE.

SOLD OUT Jay Craven's LOST NATION. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7 pm

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Advancd Registration required. Register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/everegistra/event/lostnation/, or contact Scott Davis at sdavis@stjathenaeum.org or 802-745-1393

Jay Craven’s newest film, Lost Nation, will screen at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7pm, Wednesday, November 13th - as a part of the film’s Vermont 50 Town Tour.  This Revolutionary War-era action drama set in the early upstart Republic of Vermont stars Irish actor Kevin Ryan (Copper, Harry Wild) as Vermont founding father and rebel schemer Ethan Allen, who leads resistance to New Yorker land claims. Lost Nation’s parallel and intersecting story features Kenyan actress Eva Ndachi (“Beautifully Broken”) as Lucy Terry Prince, whose poem, Bars Fight, about the 1746 Deerfield Massacre, is the first known work of African American literature.

This event is free, ADA accessible and open to the public.

Jazz Pianist David Childs in Concert. Thursday, Nov. 7, 7 pm

Virtuoso pianist David Childs will perform a free concert of standards and classics in his spontaneous, unique style at the Athenaeum. Childs began playing piano at age seven, attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has worked as a professional pianist in the Northeastern United States for more than 30 years.

Childs serves as a faculty member for the Westport School of Music, Continuo Music of Redding, and Westchester Home Music in Scarsdale, NY. He has shared the stage with such jazz greats as Jimmy Heath, Bill Crow, James Moody, Eddie Bert, Bill Watrous, and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra.

This event is free, ADA accessible and open to the public.

Book Launch: Toussaint St. Negritude. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 pm

Join us for a book launch with music and poetry by Toussaint St. Negritude, in celebration of his new book Mountain Spells.

 2024 Vermont poet laureate nominee St. Negritude has been widely published and recorded for over 40 years; Mountain Spells is his first published volume of poetry. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

Reception with food and drink will follow.

This event is free, ADA accessible and open to the public.

Friends Pie and Book Sale Saturday Sept. 28, 9 am

Inclusive Arts Vermont: CYCLES Art Exhibit

Building on the success of four prior exhibitions and a robust network of community partnerships, Inclusive Arts Vermont’s 5th biennial exhibition, CYCLES, is currently on display at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, through October 2024. CYCLES highlights artwork by 25 Vermont artists with disabilities as they explore the title theme. An artist reception will be held on Friday, October 4 from 5:30-7:30 PM. This leg of the exhibition is being hosted in collaboration with the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.

 Friday, October 4, 5:30pm: Opening Artists Reception

 Saturday, October 5 and 26, 10:30 am: Inclusive Family Programs

Round Up at White Market in September for the Athenaeum!

This month, White Market is rounding up for the Athenaeum! Please round to support St. J's free library, art gallery and lecture hall!